I started writing when I was 8. My mom got me a journal where I could rant (prob so I won't be an annoying brat). I stopped writing for 8 years until the pen and then later on the keyboard called on me again. I blog because I like writing and that's just about it. Hope you get inspired though... Bite the apple!
Friday, April 26, 2024
It Finally Rained!
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Choco Mallows is Love
I ordered some groceries and added a box of Mallows in the cart. It's been awhile since I had some. I always bought Mallows and Chocolate Crunchies whenever I visited from Singapore. It was always part of my grocery list. Both are childhood favorites.
I chose Mallows for now since there's just six pieces. Choco Crunchies I think have 16 pieces per box. I'm not sure if we'll be able to finish it that's why I just got a box of Mallows. My order arrived this morning and I ate one as a reward after watering the plants. Oh my! It's so good! They made some slight changes to the packaging and I think it helped keep it fresh.
Now I regret just buying one box, haha. Anyway, It'll be easy to buy another one next time I do groceries again. Or maybe I'll get some Chocolate Crunchies. I'm so glad these childhood favorites are still available!
#BeKind #StaySafe
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
The Heat is Not Funny Anymore
The heat index in my area reached 46'C today. I felt dizzy and had to use an ice pack to cool down. I think maybe it was made worse because I took a diuretic. Even with hydrating more I felt off for a few hours. The ice pack helped. I put it on my armpit and nape. A friend said to also put it on your groin. I moved to the living room since it was cooler there.
I think things would be worse if we didn't have plants around our house. Good thing I decided to delay having our front lawn landscaped. The bushy bamboo trees are helping keep our area cool. Good thing they are not water guzzlers and can survive with minimal watering. I moved my potted plants under the bamboo in our pocket garden to provide them some shade from the terrible heat of the sun.
I have also been keeping an eye on my boys. I remind them to drink after they come back inside whenever they step out. We also starting making ice using ice bags. The ones in trays are not enough to cool drinks anymore. Maybe I should make some ice candy too?
#BeKind #StaySafe
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Planning My Sewing Room Triangle
New flooring for my craft/sewing (a.k.a. maker) room has been installed. It made the room look more cozy and it removed the "bland" feel to it. It previously had off-white tiles which gave the feeling you're in a commercial space. I had the door with glass changed last year since it made me feel I was at a doctor's office.
Since I removed everything in the room I now have a chance to re-organize my fabric stash and other materials. The room is quite small, so I have to be smart about the space. I joined a quilting/sewing room group to see how others with small rooms organize their rooms.
Kitchens normally have a work triangle. I learned this from an architect. The kitchen workspace should have the refrigerator, sink and stove in a triangle. I did some research and found out that sewing rooms also have a triangle. In this case, it's your sewing table, cutting table and ironing station you need to consider.
I've been using my sewing table to do everything. It's annoying since I can't multitask. I have to do everything by step, so proper planning is key. I'm going to take advantage and plan first before I return all my things. I also found a couple of unsorted boxes and will re-categorize everything before placing them back.
#BeKind #StaySafe
Monday, April 22, 2024
New Gate with Paw Prints
We finally got rid of the polycarbonate we've been using to divide the cat family areas. We had a gate installed last weekend. We chose to have the bottom part to be transparent to socialize the Brimsley family with Meredith. The kittens have grown and have been itching to explore the rest of the house. They have to be friends with Meredith so they could pass through to the other side.
The work finished a bit late last Saturday. We were told that the paint was still wet. We inspected the gate just before we went to bed and funnily saw some paw prints on it already. Haha! It's probably Grogu's paw prints since he's the most adventurous one. Either his or Grey's since we saw him visit the kittens.
Now that there is a gate, it would be easier for us to access the side garden. We'd be able to water the plants easily. I hope they're still okay since I haven't been able to go to the area because of the work being done.
The heat today was terrible. Heat index was at 42'C. I think that's the first time it reached that number in our area. I could still feel the heat from the window even though I was in an air conditioned room all day. Whew! I hope we get some respite from the heat. Stay hydrated!
#BeKind #StaySafe
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Relax, He's Got Your Back
I thought I'd try something different today. Blog while spinning! Yes! I'm on our exercise bike right now and spinning as I type. We got an exercise bike with a table before I started my second set of pulmo rehab sessions. It was an unplanned purchase, but we thought it would be useful since I do my sessions through video calls.
Kuya mentioned last night I look much healthier now. I was under the weather when he last visited last month. I told him that the CPAP machine and better nutrition has been helping improve my stamina. I also consider the daily plant watering chore as exercise. It takes me an hour since I water the plants individually with a jug. It's like walking around with dumbbells. By the end of the session I'm covered in sweat and Fitbit says I reach the heart rate that burns fat. Yaas!
It's not all been a bed of roses. I just also recently finished taking a round of antibiotics for an infection. I still get sick randomly. I've also been able to cope better because of praying. Whenever doubts creep in I just say a quick prayer. Whenever I worry about the boys when they go out, I just pray for Papa Jesus to protect them. Whenever I worry about provisions, I just pray for blessings.
We are all children of God. He loves all of us, so don't worry, He's got our back.
#BeKind #StaySafe
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Fresh Tuna and Salmon Sashimi from GenSan
Friday, April 19, 2024
Mama Cat Brimsley is Sick
While waiting for an available schedule with the vet, Miggy fed her by hand. She ate very little. Luckily, Miggy got a schedule and they brought Brimsely to the vet today. She had a 40.2'C fever and was dehydrated. Blood test results showed she had an infection. The vet still needs to do additional tests to determine the type of infection.
We left Brimsley with the vet. She'll do additional tests and they will put an IV for meds and nutrition. She hasn't been going out of their area, but we saw her the other day go out. She must've eaten something outside. The vet noted that her stomach is also bloated.
I hope she'll be better soon. Her kittens eagerly await her homecoming.
#BeKind #StaySafe
Thursday, April 18, 2024
A Year Ago in Paradise
Ahh, Google Photos reminded me that it's been a year since we visited a beautiful resort in Sipalay. I'm sure more people know about the resort now since a news anchor featured it in her vlog. We managed to visit Manami Resort before it officially opened, thanks to a friend who made the arrangements.
If I were to describe our experience in one word, I'd say it was "peaceful". There was only a handful of people in the resort. We enjoyed the place with our friends minus the crowds. The resort is secluded so don't expect to see other commercial establishments. You eat, sleep and enjoy within their premises. If you're a bit adventurous you can go island hopping too.
We were happy just staying in the resort for 4 days. I especially enjoyed just sitting on the balcony and watching the sea, birds flying and waiting for sunset. We certainly enjoyed swimming and basking under the sun. At night we used the mini pool in our villa. I got to nap a lot of times too. That's my kind of vacation, doing nothing. I think I've had enough adventures in my life, so just lounging around is my kind of thing now.
I would have probably gone back by now, but I'm currently avoiding the airport since they announced they have electrical issues. I cannot risk being exposed to heat in case their a/c doesn't work. Well, there are other places to explore. :)
#BeKind #StaySafe
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
How to Beat Heat Exhaustion
I've experienced heat exhaustion a number of times already. I'm prone to it because of my medical condition. Even just a few seconds of heat can ruin my entire day. That's the reason why we have a constant quest to cool down our home.
I asked a friend who is into construction if putting sprinklers on your roof helps. I saw a news clip about a technician who installed sprinklers on his roof. It automatically goes on at a certain temperature. He claimed it reduced the temperature in his house. I asked my friend if that's effective and if it won't cause your roof to have algae. He told me it's better to install double insulation on your roof.
Well, installing double insulation on one's roof is an expensive and complicated process. Another friend suggested using an ice pack. Wrap it in a small towel and insert it on your armpit and other pulse areas. That will help quickly stabilize your temperature. I should have done this when I had heat exhaustion before. We have reusable ice packs in our freezer which we use as cold compress for bruises or swelling. So knowing we can use it as first aid for heat exhaustion is good information.
Of course, stay hydrated all day. Don't wait until you get thirsty before you drink. Don't bother to go out as well since it's really, really hot. I've switched back to purchasing groceries online since it's too risky for me to go out. I'm a vampire for now and just step outside when the sun has set. I also moved all my potted plants under the bamboo trees to protect them from the sun. Some of my herbs were starting to fry even though we watered them regularly. If things get worse I'll set up a net for them.
Oh well, take care everyone!
And, happy, happy birthday to my FIL, Dad!
#BeKind #StaySafe
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Eagerly Awaiting my Updated Craft Room
Monday, April 15, 2024
Summer Spruce Up
Our house used to be the newest on our street. Not anymore since our neighbors had their homes renovated after we moved in. The construction, the dust and the noise that comes with it have been challenging for us. Good thing our homeowners association has been very efficient and kind. They came to our rescue a couple of times already.
It's been almost 2.5 years since we moved to our current home. Since we're having the flooring fixed in our family room, I thought it would be a good idea to do some improvements outdoors. Took the opportunity to have some things re-painted. I think it's been five years since the house was renovated, so it's about time to re-paint.
We recently changed some outdoor lighting fixtures. It's smaller than the old one, so the gate post needed to be fixed. I found an old photo of my childhood home and the post lamp looks a lot like what we have just installed. Sweet! We like the new lamp better than the old box one. We kept the old one for future use (maybe for Mom's garden?).
The cats had also scratched out part of our front wall, so we had that repaired too. What needs to be fixed though is our front lawn. The Bermuda grass is almost dead. Annoying weeds that have been hard to remove have taken over. The bamboo though is still very healthy, but hard to manage. I'll probably work on that later this year when it's cooler.
Since there's a heat wave, any outdoor work is only done early in the morning. Gary and Marvin move to indoor work by mid-morning to make sure they don't get heat exhaustion. We also remind them also to stay hydrated. My target is for them to gain 5 pounds by the time they finish the work (hehe).
#BeKind #StaySafe
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Busy Sunday
Meredith had her first appointment today. She was quite anxious on the way to her appointment. The groomers said she would eventually get used to it. She came back smelling really good. Her fur was so smooth and bright. She is scheduled to do weekly grooming for 4 weeks. I hope that would help with her scratching.
I myself got busy sorting another box of Mom's bead supplies. I was so surprised to find it. I think she brought it to our home without us knowing because it was my first time to see the box. I finally found some beading materials I've been looking for in the other boxes I sorted. That's how I knew this was a box she had brought to our house in one of her visits.
Sorting one box of bead stuff takes so long. I thought I'd finish it today, but I need another day to finish it. I've been transferring the beads to uniform ziplock bags since most of the old holders are quite dusty already. I didn't know Mom had bought a lot of beads. When I left my bead boxes with her before I left for Singapore she told me she wasn't really into beading. Haha. She got hooked because she more than doubled my collection.
I hope I'll finish sorting the box tomorrow so I can move on with decluttering. We want to really finish organizing our home so we can have friends over. Mom said it will take time and it's really taking time. I have suspended any sewing projects for now so I could focus on decluttering and fixing our home.
#BeKind #StaySafe
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Adjusting for the Cats
- Garden and plants - biggest adjustment we had to make was with our side garden. It was the best place to grow veggies since it would get morning sun. Unfortunately, the kittens had been sitting on the pots (see photo above). RIP my veggies. I have since removed all my potted plants from the area. We also had to put spikes on the planter to keep the cats from using it as a litter box.
- Goodbye vertical garden - I really wanted to grow veggies so I had a vertical garden installed. I would find my pots on the ground and soon realized they were using the grids as a ladder to reach the roof. I had it uninstalled last week.
- Spiked water tank (and washing machine) - since we removed the vertical garden, the kittens have been using the water tank as a jumping board to get to the roof! We're afraid they might damage the pump and the pipes, so Sweetie had to put spikes on top of the water tank to prevent them from going on it.
- Helmeted faucet - we thought there was a ghost using the water since we hear the water pump working even without any of us using it. The kittens have been jumping on the faucet and have accidentally turned it on many times! Sweetie put a box on it when I was in the hospital, but I suggested to use a water bottle so it's waterproof. It looks like a helmet now, haha.
- Fortified walls - Kaley Boo had been hanging out on top of our front wall. No harm about it, we thought. Apparently, she scratched off the top of the wall and exposed a pipe. Of course, we're having it fixed.
- Dressed up car - the cats absolutely love hiding under the car. Good thing we decided to add on a cover for the engine. We wanted to make sure cats/kittens won't be able to hide in the engine area. Well, they like hanging out on top of the car. After some surveillance, we finally saw who was going on top of the car, Meredith and sometimes the Intruder. Sweetie found a cover on Lazada and this has helped keep them away. That's also why I got Meredith a cot, so she can enjoy being on higher ground without having to go on top of the car.
Friday, April 12, 2024
Achieved New Biking Time!
I'm so pleased with myself. I achieved 11 minutes and 49 seconds of spinning today. Yay! I thought we were doing just 10 minutes, but my PT said he dupped me and set it to 12 minutes. It helps that I'm able to talk while exercising.
My PT said I'm on schedule to reach my "biking outdoors goal". We're taking it slowly since it's too hot anyway to go out. I also don't have a bike yet, haha. I only have the bell (the that goes kringkriinngg!) which I got from Daiso in Japan many years ago. Yup, that's how long I've wanted to go biking again.
In time I will!
#BeKind #StaySafe
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Were You Part of the Happy Savers Club?
I was a young child when my Mom opened a savings account for me. The Happy Savers Club was a promo of a bank meant to encourage young children to start saving. I don't remember when my Mom closed the account, but the last balance was 231 pesos, haha. She eventually opened a proper account for me.
My Mom was a banker. She retired because of me. I was a handful to take care of since birth and that forced her to retire. She told me her first job was a bank teller and she eventually moved to the bank's headquarters. She loved going to the bank and I was always in tow. That's how I learned and became comfortable doing banking errands.
Mom's way of teaching was always practical. She used newspapers to teach me how to reach. I remember she'd have me read the headline out loud everyday. That's what she did with banking chores. She had me fill out the bank slips for my accounts.
When she opened a new account for me after the Happy Savers Club, she told me to have a goal. I don't know when I declared that I was going to save for my future wedding. I mostly deposited gifts and savings from my allowance. The account grew very slowly. I eventually didn't use it for my wedding, I used it to pay for graduate school tuition.
It was worth spending my lifelong savings for schooling. It really helped me progress in my career and helped me make smarter decisions for me and my family.
#BeKind #StaySafe
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Beating the Heat
Oh boy, it's been like an inferno the past few days. I've been staying indoors in a cool place and keeping hydrated to make sure I don't get heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Since I had heart surgery and my PEs I've been very sensitive to heat. Just a few seconds of heat has been disastrous for me.
Here's what we do to beat the heat:
- Use the air conditioner - my threshold is 30'C. I'm like grocery items that have to be kept in a cool place below 30'C. LOL. That's the reason why we installed solar panels in our home. It really helps us with the electricity bill. I told a friend yesterday, it's better to use your A/C than get sick and pay expensive medical bills.
- Stay hydrated - I had the misfortune of having UTI last week. I think I got dehydrated while watering plants (the irony noh) and so I got sick. I'm now making sure I drink water more often. I'm trying to hit 3 liters per day.
- Drink buko juice - we drink buko juice at least once a week. It's better than drinking sugary juices since it gives a lot of benefits for your body. It's an energy booster too!
- Fans, fans, fans! - I think we have more fans than rooms in our house. We also have rechargeable fans in case of emergency (no electricity). Air circulators which we discovered recently have been very useful. I honestly like them better than huge stand fans.
- Water your plants after sunset - my pulmo reminded me to stay out of the sun for now. I mentioned it to him I moved my plant watering time to after sunset. He said that works well since the water doesn't just evaporate with the sun.
- Lighter meals - we're on a meal plan five days a week. I avoid eating heavily on the other two days.
- Avoid caffeine - I normally have two cups of coffee everyday. A hot one for breakfast, iced in the afternoons. Or milk tea in the afternoon. Since the temperature started hitting >31'C I switched to drinking juice in the afternoons.
- Wear light comfortable cotton clothes - I've ditched wearing t-shirts and wear sleeveless shirts now. Good thing I inherited some sandos from Miggy (I got a bunch and didn't know they were too small).
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
She Didn't Like the Cat House, Fluffy Bed and Box
Brimsley's family isn't fussy. They so far like everything we provide for them. Meredith though has been very choosy. We got her a house and tried out best for her to go inside. She's been using the furry bed, but not as often as I expected. I guess it's been too hot. She used to have a box with a rug, but she preferred to just lie down on the floor.
I had been eyeing a cot on Lazada. I was hesitant though since they only had it in wood. Meredith is our biggest cat. The sizes available were too small. I saw one made of steel and big enough to fit puppies. I thought that would work so I got one for Meredith. It soon arrived and it was easy to set-up.
As usual, I was excited to give it to Meredith. We set it down on the garage where she usually eats. I sat a few feet away from her to observe her reaction. She looked at it. Smelled it. Circled it. Then ignored it. Since nothing happened, we decided to let her be and went inside.
Few hours later we checked the CCTV. She warmed up to the cot an hour after and stayed on it for almost two hours. I was so happy that she liked it! Friends said that cats like hammocks and staying on elevated places. We see Meredith going on top of the trash can and that's the reason why I've been trying to find her a better bed. I'm glad the cot worked! :)
#BeKind #StaySafe
Monday, April 8, 2024
Best Buy for Summer
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Father B
For a few years we had one of the kindest and friendliest parish priest in our neighborhood. We nicknamed him Fr. B whenever we mention him in conversations, but call him Fr. Bernard in person. I found this photo of him with me and my parents when he came for a visit. I think this is already after he had left for another assignment.
c. March 2008 with Fr. Bernard McEachern, C.P. |
I had grown up knowing many priests. First one was Fr. Quaranta who baptized me. He's from the SDB order. When our parish was fully established we had Passionist priests. The first ones I met were Fr. Edward Diviny, CP and Fr. Harry Reusch, CP. They first visited our home when I was still a toddler and I thought they were giants. I remember that moment probably because they were so tall and they had cologne on. Beats me why I remember it, but it's a core memory. I always saw them because my parents were part of the team that helped build the church.
Years after my troubled teenage years. I was a product manager already by this time. Thank you Fr. Bernard for saving me :) |
Fast forward to the time Fr. B became our parish priest. I'd always remember him because he was there for me during my troubled teenage years. He helped make sure I went on the right path and he baptized Miggy. I was so sad when he left and since felt orphaned for a spiritual advisor. Luckily, I met Br. Gene Tianco, FSC, when I was in college. He helped continue what Fr. B did for me. After Br. Gene passed away I prayed to have another spiritual advisor and Sr. Lirio Guillermo came along.
I still miss Fr. B. He was really involved in the families of his parishioners. I keep in touch with him every so often and mentioned Mom's passing in my last email. I hope and pray he's doing well. I just remembered him since I also found cards and letters sent by my parents' priest-friends. Of course, I had met a lot of priests along the way and they're all dear to my heart. I was thinking, maybe I should re-publish the articles I wrote about them?
I hope to have our home blessed again in time for my Mom's first year death anniversary. :)
#BeKind #StaySafe
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Goodbye Greenbelt One
Friday, April 5, 2024
10 Minutes!
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Kaley and Her Kittens Moved Out
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Ran Out of Energy
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Sewing Room is Back to Zero
It took me a week to empty my sewing room. We had to clear our basement for some renovations. We delayed it for a year. Looking back, we should have done that work before the cabinets were installed. It would have saved us from packing up our stuff. I had mentioned it to the contractor, but my request was ignored and they went ahead with the cabinet installation.
Well, on the brighter side, this gives me the chance to redo my sewing room. I actually call it my maker room since I don't just sew in it. I also work on my other hobbies in it, so it's more appropriately called the maker room.
My plan is to re-arrange my materials. I started to wrap my fabric in comic book boards. I like it since it looks more organized. I have to sort some boxes where I stored some notions. I need to put it all together and store it properly so they are easier to find.
I'm trying to figure out how best to use my Mama Lola's sewing machine. It's an electric old Singer sewing machine which probably doesn't work anymore. It came with the traditional Singer black iron bottom. I've been looking for a company that can help turn it into a proper table to make it useful. I still want to keep it since it's been passed on to me (plus my grandma's sewing kit).
We will hopefully finish all the work in a few weeks. My sewing stuff is all over the place, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to work on any projects in the meantime. We'll see :)
#BeKind #StaySafe
Monday, April 1, 2024
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Happy Easter!
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Friday, March 29, 2024
Good Friday 2024
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
My Garden Shelf was Evicted
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Yoda Moved
Monday, March 25, 2024
Out with the Old, In with the New Lights!
Sunday, March 24, 2024
The Ten Commandments
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Saving Mom's Fukien Tea Tree
Friday, March 22, 2024
K-Love (the series)
Anyway, I chanced upon the series "K-Love" on Viu while browsing for shows. I got interested because Sweetie's cousin is part of the cast. I had no idea what the show was about, but gave it a try and got hooked! I roped in Sweetie too and we finished the series in just 3 days (well, I had fever and was forced to rest haha).
I actually liked the series. The characters were well-developed. The cast was well-chosen and believable. There was no dull moment in the story. I laughed and cried with the characters and was certainly gigil with how infuriatingly slow the lovebirds came together, haha. The narrator explained that's how K-dramas go.
What I particularly liked is the reveal at the end that the narrator is the writer of the story. I am fond of stories written that way because of Louisa May Alcott. She wrote Little Women based on their family, narrating the story through the main character, Jo. I also like the fact that the writer had a happy ending. The series certainly kept me going while fighting fever.
I enjoyed the series even though I was clueless with the K-drama and Korean artists they mentioned (haha). Well, I have Viu now, so I can probably start with shows that have been dubbed in Tagalog. In the meantime, I'm watching Flower of Evil too. Haha.
#BeKind #StaySafe